Interruption of play
a) Permitted
The player may not interrupt the game unless
(I) the match management has suspended the game
(II) he considers there to be a risk of lightning;
(III) he requires a decision from the match committee on a doubtful or disputed detail
(see Laws 2-5 and 34-3); or
(IV) for any other valid reason such as sudden indisposition.
Bad weather as such is not a valid reason for interrupting play.
If the player interrupts the game without the express permission of the match management, he must notify the match management as soon as practicable. If the player complies with this requirement and the referee deems the reason to be sufficient, he will not incur a penalty, otherwise he will be disqualified.
Exception in hole play: Players who interrupt a hole play by mutual agreement are not subject to disqualification, provided they do not thereby delay the competition.
Note: Leaving the course is not in itself an interruption of play.
b) Procedure in the event of suspension of play by the match director
If the match director has suspended play, the players of a hole play or a group of players who are between the playing of two holes may not resume play until the match director has ordered a resumption. If they are playing a hole, they may interrupt play immediately or resume play of the hole, provided this is done without delay.
If they decide to continue play on the hole, they may interrupt play before completing the hole. In any case, play must be interrupted after the hole has been completed.
Players must resume play if the referee has ordered play to be resumed.
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF RULE 6-8b: Disqualification.
Note: The match director may stipulate in the announcement of a match (Rule 33-1) that, in the event of imminent danger, the match must be stopped immediately after the match director has suspended the match. If a player fails to interrupt the game immediately, he is disqualified, unless the suspension of this penalty is justified under Rule 33-7.
c) Picking up the ball when play is interrupted
A player who interrupts play on a hole in accordance with Rule 6-8a may pick up his ball without penalty only if the match committee has suspended play or if the pick-up is for a valid reason. Before picking up the ball, its position must be marked by the player.
If the player interrupts the game and picks up the ball without the express permission of the match management, he must report the picking up of the ball to the match management at the same time (Rule 6-8a).
If the player picks up the ball without a valid reason, fails to mark the position of the ball before picking it up or fails to report that the ball has been picked up, he shall incur a penalty stroke.
d) Procedure for resuming play
Play must be resumed where it was interrupted, even on a later day. The player must proceed as follows either before or at the resumption of play
(I) If the ball was picked up by the player, he must, provided he was entitled to pick up the ball under Rule 6-8c, place the original ball or a newly placed ball in the place from which the original ball was picked up. Otherwise, the original ball must be put back;
(II) if the player had not picked up his ball, he may, provided he was entitled to pick up the ball under Rule 6-8c, pick up the ball, clean it and put it back or replace it with another ball at the place from which the original ball was picked up. Before picking up the ball, the player must mark its position, or
(III) if the ball or the ball marker of the player has been moved during the interruption (including by the action of wind or water), a ball or ball marker must be placed in the place from which the original ball or ball marker was moved.
Note: If the place where the ball is to be placed cannot be determined, this place must be estimated and the ball must be placed in the estimated place. The procedures of Rule 20-3c do not apply here.
*PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF RULE 6-8d:
Hole play - Hole loss; Counting game - Two strokes.
*If a player has incurred the basic penalty for a breach of Rule 6-8d, no further penalty is incurred under Rule 6-8c.
Status: 2018